Crusaders to play the Hurricanes

Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named his team to play the Hurricanes this weekend. The team will head to Wellington tomorrow to prepare for the game at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.

Eight players have returned from the All Blacks to make the team, including prop Wyatt Crockett who will pack down with Corey Flynn and Nepo Laulala in the front row. Owen Franks will provide front row cover alongside Joe Moody and Ben Funnell on the bench.

Locks Dom Bird and Sam Whitelock will pair up in the second row, and Matt Todd will wear the number 7 jersey with Richie McCaw ruled out with an injured rib. Jordan Taufua and Luke Whitelock join him in the loose forwards with Kieran Read and Jimmy Tupou named in the reserves. Colin Slade returns at first five and Dan Carter will have the opportunity to make an impact off the bench in his first game for the Crusaders this season.

With Nemani Nadolo still representing Fiji this week, Nafi Tuitavake and Johnny McNicholl take the two wings. They are joined by Ryan Crotty and Kieron Fonotia in the midfield, and Tom Taylor takes the fullback spot while Israel Dagg recovers from injury. This is the final away game for the Crusaders in the 2014 regular season. The next two home games against the Blues and the Highlanders will help decide whether they will continue to the play-off rounds.